“Come here, champ.”
Davie crossed the room.
“’ Remember how we talked about court?” David asked. “Sometimes grown-ups have to go there to answer questions.”
Davie nodded slowly.
“Well, I’ve gotta go again,” David said. “Ms. Harper’s gonna be there with me.”
Davie’s brow furrowed.
“’Bout Mama?” he whispered.
Something in Margaret’s face crumpled.
David swallowed.
“Yeah, bud,” he said quietly. “’Bout Mama.”
Davie’s eyes searched his.
“They askin’ if you were bad?”
Eleanor’s chest tightened.
David’s voice went hoarse.
“They’re askin’ a lot of questions,” he said. “But don’t you worry, buddy. Daddy will be okay.”
Davie looked at him a long moment, small fingers curling in the fabric of David’s sleeve.
Then he nodded once.
“MiMi says you’re a good daddy,” he said. “And Mama’s an angel.”
Margaret turned away, shoulders shaking.
“That’s right,” David said thickly. “And I love you more than anything.”
Davie nodded again, as if that settled it in his world.
“Can I have grilled cheese?”
Margaret let out a wet little laugh.
“Go wash your hands,” she said. “I’ll make you two.”
He thumped back down the hall, the sound of his footsteps fading.
“They’re gonna put me in a jumpsuit,” David said quietly, not looking up.
“We’ll do everything we can to avoid that,” Eleanor said. “You’re still out on bond. Monday is arraignment and calendar call—we enter a not guilty plea, make sure your release stays in place, and start the clock on everything that comes next.”
“And after that?” his father asked.
“After that,” Eleanor said, “we prepare for trial.”
Margaret looked up at her.
